Leucanthemum vulgare Maikönigin - Oxeye Daisy seeds

Leucanthemum vulgare 'Maikönigin', or May Queen Oxeye Daisy, is a common wild Daisy that stands out for its later and longer flowering, as well as its smaller white flowers. It embodies the wild and rustic side, so appreciated in this plant. It is natural and simple and works well in flower arrangements and in a natural garden, blending with perennial borders and large flower beds. Its foliage disappears in winter to reappear vigorously in spring. This robust and easy-to-grow plant has a charm of its own.

Leucanthemum vulgare, often called the Oxeye Daisy or Common Daisy, belongs to the large Asteraceae family, also known as "composites" because what appears to be a flower is actually a composition of tiny flowers gathered in an inflorescence called a head. It is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant native to a vast area ranging from Western Europe to Siberia. It is a robust, hardy plant, capable of adapting to various climates.

The Maikönigan cultivar is a selection of Leucanthemum vulgare with a later flowering period, from May to June, and more numerous and smaller flowers. It forms a bushy clump about 0.80m (3ft) tall and 0.60m (2ft) wide over time. From a large basal rosette, a lush tuft of numerous leafy, deciduous stems emerges. The leaves, on long petioles, are dark green, oval-shaped, spatulate, thick, and slightly toothed. The flowering period extends from May to August. At the end of the upright and rigid stems, solitary flower heads measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter appear. They have slender, flat white ligules arranged in a simple crown around a golden yellow centre composed of small sessile flowers.

Maikönigan is an easy to grow plant, hardy down to -15°C (5°F) that prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, making it suitable for planting near large trees in the garden or in lightly shaded beds. To prolong its flowering, regularly remove faded flowers. Highly valued for its vigour and robustness, it is also resistant to diseases and tolerates heat well. In flower beds or borders, it can be combined with Gauras, Cosmos, Coreopsis, Delphiniums, Echinaceas, or grasses like Stipa tenuifolia or Miscanthus sinensis Adagio for a contemporary look. Planted at the base of a wall or in a cool rockery, it pairs well with Valerian, Bellflowers, Yarrow, and more structured plants like blue-leaved or variegated Euphorbia characias. The natural, rustic character of this perennial is well-known, so it blends perfectly with Wild Poppies, Wild Chicory, or Rose Campion for a wilder effect.